Over the past few weeks, Fay Jones MP has been working to ensure that the voices of the tourism, hospitality and events sector in Brecon and Radnorshire, are heard at the highest levels of government.
Following a virtual roundtable with tourism businesses from her constituency, Fay Jones MP asked the Prime Minister to continue to work with the Welsh Government to "ensure that Wales joins up with the rest of the United Kingdom". Speaking during the Prime Minister's Statement on COVID-19 on Tuesday 23rd June, Miss Jones went on to asked the Prime Minister to "encourage the Welsh Government to scrap the five mile rule".
The representatives of businesses in Brecon and Radnorshire who joined the virtual roundtable, were unanimous in their view that the Welsh tourism sector needs a roadmap to reopening, guidance on how to operate safely and clarity about future support schemes. While Miss Jones welcomed the First Minister's announcement lifting some lockdown measures and preparing self-contained holiday accommodation to reopen, she noted that there was still no roadmap to reopening for the hospitality or events sector.
Miss Jones echoed this sentiment during her contribution to the COVID-19: Support for UK Industries debate on Thursday 25th June. The Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire highlighted the plight of the arts and culture sector, in particular the impact of COVID-19 on local theatres such as Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon. She went on to list the international events across her constituency which have had to be cancelled; Hay-on-Wye literary festival, the Brecon jazz festival, the Green Man festival and even the international bog snorkelling championships in Llanwrtyd Wells.
In particular, Miss Jones focused on the cancellation of the Royal Welsh Show - the largest agricultural show in Europe, which contributes up to £45m a year to the Welsh economy. Miss Jones said "the Royal Welsh is more than just a show. It is a celebration of Wales itself... Having spoken to the Royal Welsh this week, I know that the team in Builth Wells are working hard to try to deliver the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in November this year, and I am pleased that the UK Government and the Secretary of State for Wales are supporting them all we can, but they need support from both our Governments. The Welsh Government have provided some support to key events such as the Eisteddfodau, our Welsh language celebrations, but nothing so far for the Royal Welsh Show."
Commenting on her work, Fay Jones MP said:
"I have been inundated by emails from tourism and hospitality businesses across Brecon and Radnorshire - urging the Welsh Government to allow them to reopen and warning of the severe economic consequences if they aren't able to do so.
"I’m sorry to say that the Welsh Government has provided the tourism and hospitality sector with next to no guidance or support. Pubs and restaurants have no visibility as to when they can reopen – while their competitors in England have a clear way ahead. It is very frustrating to see businesses losing money from customers who will now travel across the border into England to pop to the pub for a pint.
The cancellation of international events across Brecon and Radnorshire has a huge economic impact on the local area, forcing thousands of seasonal workers into unemployment and depriving local businesses of the revenue generated by visitors. With my passion for farming and agriculture, one cancellation which particularly stings is the world-renowned Royal Welsh Show. This is a devastating blow; both in economic and social terms. I am deeply concerned that the mental health of our rural communities will take another hit as a result of COVID-19.
"The Welsh Government has provided some financial support to the Urdd Eisteddfod but nothing for the Royal Welsh Show. They also need guidance. Sadly, there is no path ahead for holding large events in the next couple of months – understandably so – but we need to know when and how we can take our place on the world stage again. I urge the Welsh Government to prioritise rural areas for once and to work with the Show to ensure that it can put on it's Winter Fair in November."
Miss Jones' question during the Prime Minister's Statement on COVID-19 on Tuesday 23rd June can be watched in full here and her speech during the COVID-19: Support for UK Industries debate on 25th June can be watched here.